World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation -
Christian churches all over the world celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on 1 September, and the Season of Creation between 1 September and 4 October – the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. This year’s theme is “The Web of Life: Biodiversity as God’s Blessing”. We pray that all people may learn to respect and celebrate the goodness of God’s gift of creation in all of its variety.
A Prayer for our Earth– by Pope Francis
All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
And in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
That we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
As brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
Help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
So precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
That we may protect the world and not prey on it,
That we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
At the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
To be filled with awe and contemplation,
To recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
As we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
Amen
*Pope Francis published this prayer in his Laudato Si’ encyclical, and is meant for sharing with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful
Creator.